Rotary engine



May 4, 1937. L.. F. UPSHAW, JR

ROTARY ENGINE Filed Aug. 5, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet l May 4, 1937. L. F. uPsHAw, JR

ROTARY ENGINE Filed Aug. 6, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 n B n.

ROTARY ENGINE Filed Aug. 6, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTOR EYA May 4, 1937- L. F. UPSHAW, JR 2,079,192

ROTARY ENGINE F'ledAug. 6, 1935 4 Sheets-$heet 4 Cnam/Dressed fuel bypass/'ng in ra wr: in

Compressed INVENTOR.

Patented May 4, 19er t t 2,019,192

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROTARY ENGINE Lucius Forest Upshaw, Jr., Pasadena, Calif.

Application August '6, 1935, serial No. 34,906

` 1o Claims. (oi. 12s- 14) This invention relates to rotary engines. front Wall I3 by a plurality of spaced ribs 2l The general object of the invention is to proand the wallsv forming the other side are convide an improved rotary engine which can be econected to the rear wall Ill by a plurality of spaced nomically manufactured, which is simple in opribs 22. eration', and which isln'ghly efficient in use. The front Wall I3 CuIVeS inwardly and 1S 111- 5 A more specic object of the invention is to tegrally connected with the forward side wall I9 provide a rotary engine including a cylindrical of the channel I8 adjacent its inner end. The housing having a rotor therein, and having vanes construction provides an aperture 22' in the front on the rotor; and wherein novel means is proof the casing I2. Adjacent the front the casing I2 vided for introducing and ring a charge of fuel includes a boss 23 which is integrally connected to 10 whereby an impulse is given to the engine. the front wall. I3 by a plurality of spaced radial A further object of the invention is to provide ribS 24 Which eXteIld aerOSS the aperture 22'. a rotary engine including a rotor having a. vane The rear Wall I4 includes a boss 25. suitably thereon and wherein a charge of fuel is commounted in the bosses 23 and 25 I Provide antiy5 pressed in 'advance of the vane and is transferred friction bearings 26 which support a shaft 2l. 15 to the rear of the vane where it is red., Positioned in the easing l2 I provide a rotor Other objects and the `advantages of the inmember 28 Which includes an outer body Portion vention will be apparent from the description 29, rim portions 30 of leSS diameter than the taken in connection with the accompanying drawbody and extending outWaldly from eaell Side ings, wherein: of the body, a hub 3i and a plurality of spaced 20 Fig. 1 is a section through an engine embodyradial Spokes 32 integrally Connecting the body ing the features of my invention; and the hub. As shown in Fig. 2 the hub 3| is Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2 2 of Fig, 1; suitably secured to the shaft 21 for rotation there- Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section of with. The spokes 32 are formed in the shape of the engine showing details of one of the valve fan blades so that when the rotor 28 turns in an 25 mechanism;' anti-clockwise direction, air willV be drawn into Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken the CaSflg through the flont aperture thereof. on line 4-4 of Fig. 1; The rotor body 29 is preferably made hollow Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged side View 0f as shown and sho-rt, spaced, radial reinforcing the rotor member; ribs 33 are provided which extend across the 30 Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken Wheel .from adjacent the edge Of 011e rim 30 to on line 6-6 of Fig. 1; y adjacent the edge of the other rim. The ribs Fig. 7 is an extended perspective View of one 33 are positioned at the Same Pitch aS the Spokes set of cam rings shown on a reduced scale; 32 and act as impellers to draw air into the cas- Fig. 8 is aview similar to Fig. lshowing amodiingr When the rotor turns. The body portion 29 5 ed form of engine; of the wheel fits snugly in the casing channel I5 Fig. 9 is a section taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8; with the peripheral Surface thereof spaced from Figs. 10 to 13, inclusive, are diagrammatic the inner surface of the channel wall Il. views showing the complete cycle of the oper- The rims 30 iit Within the channels I8 and the y ation of the motor; and inner surfaces thereof are preferably flush with 40 Fig. 14 is a perspective View of one of the valve the inner edges of the walls I9. abutment members. I The rotor body 29 includes a pair of opposed Referring to the drawings by reference charintegral vane members 34 which are the same acters I have indicated my improved engine genwidth as the body and extend into the channel el'ally at lf"- AS Shown the engine Il) includes a I5 to the outer wall thereof. The leading faces 45 circular casing I2 which includes a front wall i3 of the vanes 3d are preferably inclined as shown and a rear wall I4. The casing I2 has a circular in Fig. l and the trailing faces are straight. On channel I5 therein intermediate the front and each side the body is suitably grooved to rerear Walls which is formed by spaced side walls ceive outer and inner piston rings 35 and 38 :.0 I6 and an outer Wall Il. On each side of the respectively. As shown in Fig. 5, the inner 50 channel I5 and inwardly therefrom the housing piston ring 36 adjacent each of the vanes 34 includes a channel I8 which is formed by side preferably includes a portion 3l which extends walls I 9 and outer walls 2Il vwhich are integral radially outward and then transversely halfwith the walls I6. The walls forming one side way across the associated vane. Each outer pissi; of the channels I5 and I8 are connected to the ton ring 35 terminates on each side of the por- 55 tion 31 of the ring 36 and includes portions 38 which, like the portion 31, extend radially outward and then transversely halfway across the associated vane.

The engine I0 adjacent the bottom thereof includes abutment indicated generally at 48 and adjacent the top includes a pair of spaced similar` abutments 4| and 42. As all the abutments are similar, but one of them will be described in detail and in Fig. 3 I have shown an enlarged detail view of the abutment 4I. As shown the abutment 4I includes atransverse bar 43 which is positioned in an aperture 43 in the wall I1 of the casing. The aperture 43' is closed by a housing 44 which is removably secured to the casing I2. The bar 43 extends on each side beyond the side walls I6 of the channel I5 and of the cup member.

has inwardly extending legs 45 secured thereto. Intermediate its length the bar 43 includes an inwardly extending iin portion 46 which fits snugly within the channel .I5 and forms a transverse partition thereacross from one side wall to the other.

Each of the legs 45 adjacent their inner ends has a roller member 41 rotatably mounted thereon and intermediate their lengths each of the legs includes an' arm 48 which extends in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the rotor 28. I'he ends of the arms 48 are pivotally mounted on pins 49 which are suitably supported by the casing I2.

, Adjacent each of the legs 45 the housing 44 has a cup-shaped member 50 therein which adjacent its outer end includes an enlarged flange 5I which is adapted to engage a shoulder portion 52 of the housing to limit the inward travel The cup member 56 has an aperture 53 in the bottom wall thereof in which a hollow boss 54 integral with the bar 43 is positioned.

Positioned in the cup and surrounding the aperture 53 I provide a heavy coiled compression spring 55 one end of which engages the bottom wall of the cup member and the opposite end engages the top wall of the housing 44. Po-

` sitioned in the hollow boss 54 I provide a coiled compression spring 56 one end of which engages the boss 54 while the opposite end engages the top wall of the housing 44. The spring 56 is lighter and of less compressive strength than the spring 55.

For actuating the valve 4I I provide a cam ring 51 having a pair of opposed enlarged working cam portions 58 thereon (see Fig. 7). For actuating the abutment 46 I provide a pair of cam rings 59 having an enlarged Working cam portion 68 thereon, and for actuating the valve 42 I provide a pair of cam rings 6I having enlarged working cam portions 62 thereon. The cam rings 51, 59, and 6I are mounted in correct relation on the wheel rims 30 and suitably secured thereto.

The springs 56 resiliently urge the bar 43 and the iin 46 downward to a position wherein the inner end of the fin 46 firmly engages the peripheral surface of the wheel body 29. When the fin 46 thus engages the wheel body the rollers 41 are out of engagement with the cam ring as shown in Fig. 3. W'hen the working cam portions 58 engage the rollers 41 they move the legs 45, the bar 43, and the fin 46 outward against the action of the springs 56. After the bar has moved outward a predetermined distance it engages the cup 56 and moves it outward against the action of the Spring 55, When the working cam portion 58 has passed the legs 45 the springs 55 and 56 both force the bar 43 inward until the cup flanges 5I engage the shoulders 52 whereupon the springs 55 cease to extend force on the bar but the springs 56 continue to force the bar 43 inwardly until the iin 46 engages the peripheral Surface of the wheel body 29. y

At the side of the abutment 48 in the direction of rotation of the rtor, the casing I2 has a fuel intake port 63 therein which opens into the channel I5 and communicates with a fuel intake manifold 64. As shown in Fig. 6 the port 63 has a plurality of spaced ribs 65 thereacross to prevent the portions 31 and 38 of the i vanes pass the port.

On the opposite side of the abutment 48 the casing I2 has an'exhaust port 66 therein which opens into the channel I5 and communicates with an exhaust manifold 61. 'I'he exhaust port 66, like the intake port 63, has a plurality of ribs thereacross.

Between the abutments 4I and 42 the casing I2 has an aperture 68 therein which opens into the channel I5 and has a plurality of spaced ribs 69 thereacross similar to the intake port. (See Fig. 4.) Over the aperture 66 I provide a housing 18 which has a recess 1I therein which communicates with the aperture 68. The housing further includesy a threaded aperture 12 opening into the chamber 1I and in which a spark plug 13 is positioned. Any suitable type of ignition and timing system may be used to direct electric current to the spark plug 13.

The rear wall I4 has a sheet metal 'apron member 14 secured thereto which curves forwardly over the outer periphery of the casing and terminates at a location spaced from the front wall. 'I'he front wall I3 has a similar sheet metal apron member 14' secured thereto which curves upwardly and rearwardly over the casing and over the member 14 with a space between itself and the member 14.

In operation, to start the engine the shaft is first rotated in an anti-clockwise direction thereby rotating the wheel 28 and as the wheel rotates the vane 34 adjacent the intake port 63 draws fuel into the chamber I5 and as the wheel continues to rotate until the next vane 34 passes the abutment 40 the second abutment draws fuel into the chamber behind it and in front compresses the fuel in the channel .I5 between its forward face and the fin 46 of the abutment 42.

In Figs. 10 to 13, inclusive, of the drawings, I have illustrated the various cycles of operation of my motor. In Fig. 10 at the top the fuel has been ignited and the gases are expanding so that the rotor is urgedA in an anti-clockwise direction and at the bottom fresh fuel is being drawn into the chamber. In Fig. 11 at the top fuel is being compressed between the abutment 42' and the vane member while at the bottom the exhaust gases are being expelled and the fuel charge is further drawn ,into the cylinder.

In Fig. 12 at the top the fuel has been further compressed and is almost ready to be by-passed, while at the bottom one exhaust cycle has been completed and the introduction of fuel is almost completed. In Fig. 13 at the top the fuel is being by-passed around the vane while at the bottom the inlet of fuel has been completed and compression has started. During these various operations the abutments 40, 4I, and 42 have been operated inwardly and outwardly by the Y preferably so `located relative to the vanes 34 cams on the ring members as previously de scribed,

The cam portions 5I of the cam ring 51 are ward edge of the aperture 68.- At all other times the abutment 42 remains open.

When the abutment 4I opens, the compressed fuel ows by this abutment and into the space between the vane and the fin 48 of the abutment 42. As soon as the vane passes the fin 46 of the valve 4I, the valve 4I again closes. As the rotor continues to turn the .vane travels towards the forward edge of the aperture 68 and just-as its rear face approaches the forward edge of the aperture 68 the fuel'is ignited by the spark plug 13 whereupon the fuel expands between the rear of the vane and the iin of the abutment 4IA thus exerting a force on the rear face of the vane which Igives an impulse to the rotor 28 tending to turn the latter. When the vane approaches the abutment 40 the cam portions 60 of the cam rings 59 actuate the abutment 40 to an open position to allow the vane to pass thereby. vWhen the vane passes the exhaust port 66 the expanded gases therebehind pass out of the chamber i5 through the port 66 and into the exhaust manifold 61. When the next. vane passes the aperture 68 and the abutment 42 opens it forces the remaining exhaust gases of the previously fired fuel out of the chamber i5 through the exhaust port 66.

As the rotor 28 turns, the spoke blades 32 and the rib blades 33 thereof draw air into the casing I2 and force it out between the ribs 22 where it is directedforwardly over the top of the casing by the member 14 and then rearwardly over the member 14 by the member 14'.` Thus it will be seen that air is circulated around all sides of the working chamber l5 and the chamber I8 and against the inner surface of the wheel body 29 and the rims 30.

In Figs. 8 and 9 I have indicated a modified form of my engine generally at 15. As shown the engine 15 is similar to the engine i0 except that it-includes a housing 16 which is chambered as at 11 to form a water jacket for cooling the engine and the rotor spokes 18 and ribs 19 arek straight instead of pitched, otherwise all parts of the engine 15 are similar to the engine ill and like parts thereof are indicated by similarly primed reference numerals.

rI'he housing 16 includes a water inlet port 8i) which communicates with the water chamber 11 anda water outlet port 8| which communicates with the water chamber 11. Water is circulated through the water chamber by any suitable type of water pump.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provided a novel engine which is simple in construction and highly eillcient in use.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. In an engine, a housing having an inwardly opening circular groove therein, a shaft, the axis of said shaft being coaxial with the axis o1' said groove, means to rotatably support said shaft in said housing, a rotor mounted on said shaft, said rotor including a circular body portion positioned in said groove,.the peripheral surface of said rotor being spaced inward from the inner surface of said groove and forming a closed chamber, said housing having a'fuel intake port and an exhaust port, a spark plug extending into said chamber, sai'd rotor having a pair of opposed vanes thereon extending into said chamber, three spaced abutments pivotally mounted in said housing, each of said abutments including a fin portion extending into said chamber to form a. transverse partition therein, each of said abutments including a pair of spaced arms, one positioned adjacent each side of said chamber, one end of said arms being secured to said-abutment-and the opposite ends of said arms being pivotally secured to said housing, a pair of cam rings for shifting each of said abutments, said cam rings being positioned one adjacent each side of said chamber, said cam rings including enlarged cam working surfaces.

said abutment arms including cam engaging portions, said cam engaging portions being out of engagement with said -cam rings and being engaged by said enlarged cam working surfaces, said enlarged cam working surfaces being adapted to move said abutments to move said fin portions thereof out of the path of travel of said vanes and means to move said abutments to move, said fin portions thereof into the path of travel of said vanes.

2. In an engine, a housing having an yinwardly opening circular groove therein, a shaft, a rotor on said shaft, said rotor having a rim, said rotor having a pair' of diametrically opposed vanes thereon extending into said chamber, three abutments in spaced circumferential relation in said housing, each of said abutments including a portion projecting into said chamber, said abutments each including an arm, said arm being pivotally mounted in said housing, said arm being disposed at one side of said chamber, three cam rings mounted on said rims, the said cam rings having a cam surface thereon engaging one of said arms, the intermediate of said cam rings having a cam surface thereon engaging another of said arms, and the outer of said cam rings. having a cam surface thereon engaging the third arm, said housing having an exhaust outlet and also having a fuel inlet adjacent one of said pivoted abutments, said other two abutments being arranged adjacent each other and remote from the one abutment, said housing having a by-pass chamber between said two abutments and a spark plug in said by-pass chamber.

3. In an engine, a housing having an inwardly opening circular groove therein, a shaft, a rotor on said shaft having rims thereon, said rotor having a pair of diametrically opposed vanos thereon extending into said chamber, three abutments in spaced circumferential relation in said housing, each of said abutments including a portion projecting into said chamber, said abutments each including a pair of spaced arms, said arms being pivotally mounted in said housing, said arms being disposed one of each side of said chamber, a set consisting of three pairs ofcam rings mounted on said rims, the inner pair of said cam rings having identical cam surfaces thereon, the intermediate pair of said cam rings having identical cam surfaces thereon, and the outer pair of said cam rings having identical cam surfaces thereon, one of said pair of arms engaging one pair 0f the cam rings, another of said arms engaging another pair of cam rings,

inner of and the third pair of arms engaging the third pair of cam rings, said housing having an exhaust outlet and also having a fuel inlet adjacent one of said pivoted abutments, said other two abutments being arranged adjacent each other and remote from the one abutment, said housing having a by-pass chamber between said two abutments and a spark plug in said by-pass chamber.

4. In an engine, a housing having an inwardly opening circular groove therein, a shaft, a rotor on said shaft, said rotor on each side of said circular body portion having rims, said rotor having a pair of diametrically opposed vanes thereon extending into said chamber, three abutments in spaced circumferential relation in said housing, each of said abutments including a portion projecting into said chamber, said abutments each including a pair of spaced arms, said arms being pivotally 'mounted in said housing, said arms being disposed one at each side of said chamber, three pairs of cam rings mounted on said rims, the inner pair of said cam rings having cam surfaces thereon engaging one of said pair of arms, the intermediate pair of said cam rings having cam surfaces thereon engaging another of said pair of arms, and the outer pair of said cam rings having cam surfaces thereon engaging the third pair of arms, said housing having an exhaust outlet and also having a fuel inlet adjacent one of said pivoted abutments, said other two abutments being arranged adjacent each other and remote from the one abutment, said housing having a by-pass chamber between said two abutments and a spark plug in said by-pass chamber.

5. In an engine, a housing having an inwardly opening circular groove therein, a shaft, a rotor on said shaft, said rotor having rims thereon, said rotor having a pair of diametrically opposed vanes thereon extending into said chamber and engaging the wall of said groove, three abutments in spaced circumferential relation in said housing, each of said abutments including atone end a fin portion projecting into said chamber, said abutments each including a pair of spaced arms, said arms being pivotally mounted in said housing, said arms including roller members, said arms being pivotally mounted in said housing, said arms including roller members, said arms being disposed one at each side of said chamber, a set of three pairs of cam rings mounted on said rims, the inner pair of said cam rings having identical cam surfaces thereon, the intermediate pair of said cam rings having identical cam surfaces thereon, and the outer pair of said cam rings having identical cam surfaces thereon, the rollers on one of said pair of arms engaging one pair of the cam rings, the rollers of another of said arms engaging another pair of cam rings, and the roller of a third pair of arms engaging the third pair of cam rings, said housing having an exhaust outlet and also having a fuel inlet adjacent one of said pivotedr abutments, said other two abutments being arranged adjacent each other and remote from the one abutment, said housing having a by-pass chamber between said two abutments and a spark plug in said by-pass chamber.

6. In an engine, a housing having an inwardly opening circular groove therein, a shaft, means to rotatably support said shaft in said housing with its axis concentric with the axis of said groove, a rotor on said shaft, said rotor including a circular body portion positioned in and closing said groove, said rotor on each side of said circular body portion having rims of less diameter than the body portion, the body portion being spaced inward from the inner surface of the groove to form a closed chamber, said rotor having a plurality of diametrically opposed vanes thereon extending into said chamber and engaging the wall of said groove, three abutments in spaced circumferential relation in said housing, each of said abutments including at one end a fin portion projecting into said chamber, said abutments each including a pair of spaced arms, said arms being pivotally mounted in said housing, said arms including roller. members, said arms being disposed one at each side of said chamber, a set of three pairs of cam rings mounted on said rims, the inner pair of said cam rings having identical cam surfaces thereon, the intermediate pair of said cam rings having identical cam surfaces thereon, and the outer pair of said cam rings having identical cam surfaces thereon, the rollers on one of said pair of arms engaging one pair of the cam rings, the rollers of another of said arms engaging another pair of cam rings, and the roller of a third pair of arms engaging the third pair of cam rings, said housing having an exhaust outlet and also having a fuel inlet adjacent one of said pivoted abutments, said other two abutments being arranged adjacent each other and remote from the one abutment, said housing having a by-pass chamber between said two abutments, a spark plug in said by-pass chamber, the front of said vane members being inclined and the rear of said vane members being diametrically disposed.

7. In an engine, a housing having an inwardly facing circular groove therein, a shaft, means to rotatably support said shaft in said housing with its axis concentric to the axis of the groove, a rotor on said shaft, said rotor including a circular body portion positioned in and closing said groove, means on said circular body portion and engaging the wall of said groove to provide a leak-tight joint, a plurality of arms pivoted on said housing about axes disposed outside of the circular grooves, each of said arms including an abutment movable radially into and out of said groove, cam engaging means on said arms, said groove having a fuel inlet and outlet and a spark plug communicating with said groove, said cam engaging means being disposed within the periphery of the circular groove and cam actuating means on said rotor for moving said cam means.

8. In an engine, a housing having an inwardly opening circular groove therein, a. shaft, means to rotatably support said shaft in said housing with its axis concentric with the axis of said groove, a rotor on said shaft, said rotor including a circular body portion positioned in and closing said groove, a plurality of pairs of arms mounted on said housing, each of said arms including a portion attached to the housing and a portion disposed at each side of said groove, a transverse bar connecting each pair of arms, each of said bars having an inwardly extending iin portion thereon which is disposed snugly within said circular groove to form a transverse partition thereacross and means to move said arms so that the fin portion moves into and out of said groove, said groove having a fuel inlet and outlet and a spark plug communicating with said groove.

9., In an engine, a housing having an inwardly opening circular groove therein, a shaft, means to rotatably support said shaft in said housing with its axis concentric with the axis of (i said groove, a rotor on said shaft, said rotor inciuding a circular body portion positioned in and closing said groove, said rotor on one side of said circular body portion having a rim of less diaxneter than the body portion, the body portion i being spaced inward from the inner surface of the groove to form a closed chamber, said rotor having a plurality of opposed varies thereon extending into said chamber and engaging the wall of said groove, a plurality of abutments in spaced i circumferential relation in said housing, each of said abutments including a fin portion projecting into said chamber, said abutments each including an arm, said arm being pvotally mount,- ed on said housing, said arm being disposed at one side of said chamber, a plurality of cam rings mounted on said rim, said cam rings having cam surfaces thereon engagingA the arms, said housing having an exhaust outlet and also having a fuel inlet adjacent one of said pivoted` abutments, said housing having a by-pass chamber between said two abutments, a spark plug in saidv lay-pass chamber.

- 10.111, an engine, a housing having an inwardly opening circular groove therein, a Shaft.

means so rotatabLy support said shaft in said.

@Home with its axis concentric with the axis of said groove. o rotor on said shaft, said rotor includinu u circular body portion positioned in and `closing said groove, said rotor on one side o! engaging the wall oisaid groove, three abutments in spaced circumierentiai relation in said housing, each of said abutments at one end including a transverse bar, said bar having a 1in portion projecting into said chamber, said abutments each including an arm, said arm being pivotally mounted on said housing, said arm inoluding a roller member, said arm being disposed at one side o! said chamber, a set of three cam rings mounted on said rim, said cam rings having cam surfaces thereon, the roller on said arm engaging the cam rings, said housing having an exhaust outlet and also having a. fue] iniet adjacent one of said pivoted abutments, said other two abutments being arranged adjacent each other and remote from the one abutment, said housing having a by-pass chamber between said two abutments, a spark plug in said by-psss chamber, the front. of said vane members being incrlnedand the rear of said. vane members being diametrieally disposed.

LUCIUS FOREST UPSHAW, Jn. 

